How Wonderful

for you Cathy! Great job on the pictures ( I take them directly from the camera too) The memory will always be with you, whether you own a torch or not. A family memory, actually, isn't it? Our Coke bottles are black, and carefuly put away so that Beth can get one when she comes to visit. Didn't you say that getting a bottle of Coke was worth visiting Winnipeg, Beth? I envy you Cathy, just getting out and doing something.

I walked over the the Post Office in the little mall across the street yesterday. I put on an undershirt, a heavy T-shirt, a sweater, trousers, my very heavy, three layer, fake-fur lined parka, a hat, and gloves inside a pair of mitts that Beth's MIL knitted. I did up the parka to the neck and pulled over the snorkel hood. To walk across the street. I've been thinking of going to buy more undershirts, but then thought --- How many days like this do we have in a year? What would be the cost of buying undershirts? Would I be better off just staying home? OMG!! Is this what my life has come to? Conversations with myself about undershirts? Why wasn't I out running in the bitter cold holding a torch? A-a-a-r-g-g-h!

Money money money

Yeah, the torches were quite expensive. I believe they were around $350.00. Kris and Sandi decided to buy his, but some people didn't (Kris said there was a 15 year old girl on the bus and they asked if she wanted her torch, but being alone, without her parents to ask she said no. I don't know if she was asked earlier and then given a final chance or not. Some people have alreadybeen offered money for them. EBAY will be busy) They had 2 vans of runners ahead of the torch, and as you reached a pass off point the next torch bearer was dropped off. The flame was passed, and the torch bearer who had completed their portion got onto one of the 2 vans following the torch. It was very orchestrated down to the minute. There was a man videotaping the entire event. He had been with the torch since they lit it in Greece. He would get off of the van and the door would close. Then it would re-open and they would film the torch bearer getting off. What an event. And now it is off to play crib at the Legion. Have a good day

Be - Wonderful

I sit here with tears in my eyes filled with excitement and happiness. It must have been a most wonderful event for you Cathy - it certainly was for me and I viewed it all from a distance and with great anticipation only from your narrative and then with pictures.
You will be going over this again and again as the weekend passes, so I shall be with you in spirit. Take care - I will hopefully be able to write a few more words as the weekend progresses but for now wanted to tell you how excited I am for you, and for Kris. A chance in a lifetime - by the way, we have been told the torches sold for about 400.00 - any confirmation of that?

Home again

This is Kris being passed the flame. He then starts on his 300 metre run (slow jog)

Sorry about all the exhaust. I don't know how to get it out. You can't see them in the picture, but they have RCMP body guards while they run. (They are in jogging suits, too... but really drab ones)

A job well done! I may have some better pictures later. Sandi is going to compile and share all of them. It was short, but exciting. They couldn't get the flame out on his torch. The person turning it off almost got burnt! Kris bought his torch, but they cut the wires and remove the cylinder before you get it. We stopped at Gulliver's (a restaurant) after the run and Kris brought the torch in. People in the restaurant asked to take pictures of it. While we were there, another runner came in and it turned out to be the person that Kris passed the flame on to .... Kind of neat. Well, it took me about 40 minutes to figure out how to get a picture up here, and even then I ended up taking it from the camera. I couldn't figure out how to get if from my files. All in all it was an eventful day that ended on a high note.

Quick note from Neepawa

Jim & I went to the Neepawa ceremony today. (they moved it indoors because it was sooooo cold) All we were able to get were the small red coke bottles, but the woman in the booth told us that they give out other ones on route when it is in the dark. We will try again tonight. Why couldn't we have hosted the summer olympics!! It was -45 with windchill today, and I don't think tonight is going to be any better. We did our trial run in Neepawa and Jim wants warmer mitts and I want insoles in my boots. Other than that I think we are okay. Jim has new batteries in the camera (of course, even if we fail I have a feeling that there will be other cameras on him.) Kris says he takes the torch at 5.59 pm at Park and 1st. We are hoping to be there at 5:30 pm. ( we are leaving early just in case, but I have no idea what we are going to do outside for over 1/2 an hour! Sunday is supposed to be -2, but we have to have the torch today!!!) I will touch base when we get home!

Tough decision

Pati hereI feel for you Beth. At the same time I worry about you, or anyone else, who might end up isolated without a vehicle. We always have the option of taking a bus--however weird and scary that might be. We really tried to minimize our car use during the summer of 2008, when the gas prices went crazy--and found we just couldn't do it. I hope you've looked into giving up the lease and buying a different car. The prices of small cars have dropped dramatically recently--maybe even less than what you lease contract calls for??

It was so good to talk to you both, yesterday. After I phoned I was off to a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library. Usually we meet in the Library, but with the Torch Run tying up all of downtown, the meeting was quickly changed to--hold your breath--the workshop of the husband of the curator--which just happens to be a converted garage on Seven Oaks Avenue--near the river. Complete with a space heater and some lawn chairs. David had suggested that I take a tv table, just in case, and I'm glad I did. It actually worked well, as everyone was more relaxed and willing to express their true feelings--something that has been needed for awhile. My term of the Board ends next month, and I think it's time. I'm looking forward to some time off from volunteer commitments.

Be - I concur

Well, I really liked your comments ....it has been good for me as well.
Every day I try to access to check for a message even if I do not actually write a few words myself. There are days when I really do not want to vent so I do not write.
Hey, I was just interrupted by a telephone call from Patty - it was such good timing - she called to tell me they watched the Olympic Torch Parade in Winnipeg today. I cannot believe how quickly the Torch run is crossing the country. I expect that if they are to be in Brandon on Friday as Cathy says, that they are moving into Northern Manitoba for a day or two before heading west to Brandon. More exciting news - they just had the Torch Run update on the TV News and I saw them in Steinbach and Ste Anne - actually they showed about 5 horses ridden by riders riding along a stretch of Highway - no torch in site, and no other people around. It was a bit bizarre..... No pictures of Winnipeg though so I did not see you or Dave, Patty. Cathy be sure to jump up and down or something so I can look for you when they broadcast the Run in Brandon, haha.
I was up to North Bay today to start back with my violin lessons. There is a little girl taking lessons - she must be 7 or 8 years old and she is a real whiz at it - I wish I had that much energy and enthusiasm. Oh well, in meantime I struggle to practice when I can and screach out a few tunes. My poor old arthritic fingers have done well to get me this far so I must be thankful for that.
I am also struggling with decision to keep my car or get rid of it. The lease runs out end of January and I either turn it in, or buy it outright. Would be a stiff price but I need to weigh that against not having my own car. I really could use a lottery winning, so get buying those tickets you guys, OK?
Must run for now. Take care XX